Chapter 6:
Remus was sick. He always was a bit poorly around the full moon and this month was no different. How he hated his lycanthropy! His head hurt, his body ached and he was fearful, it was his first full moon without his mate. He knew he had many moons before without Sirius, while the other wizard had been in Azkaban, but since knowing that he was innocent Remus had spent most moons with Sirius, even though the other man had been still on the run. Now he was alone again. He hated it; the wolf always attacked itself when it was bored. Remus had woken up many nights after a full moon during the years after the Potters' deaths to find himself covered in blood and cuts, many of which had left ugly scars. He was certainly no beauty!
Tomorrow night was the night, the full moon. 'Why me?' Remus thought to himself. Remus had already made arrangements to stay in the Shrieking Shack; it seemed sensible as he was at Hogwarts anyway. There had been no change in Harry recently, Remus was starting to get desperate, and he didn't want to lose something he had only just found. He had a son! A Boy! He was so happy, yet sad. His only son was in a coma after being beaten and raped by those who were supposed to protect him. That still made him angry, as did Dumbledore's behaviour. Fancy not telling him for all those years. Not a word, not a hint.
All too soon the moon rose high in the night sky and Remus Lupin once more assumed the shape of the dreaded werewolf. He spent the night in the Shrieking Shack attacking first the furniture and then himself before heaving himself against the walls out of pure frustration. By the time morning came Remus was exhausted and very injured, the wolf had been having a field day! He had a large, deep cut from shoulder to opposite hip and his skin had been mutilated in various other places as well. His legs were the worst. He had managed to somehow bite huge welts onto both legs, it just seemed a mass of mutilated, bleeding flesh. He was unable to move, he just lay there, breathing shallowing waiting for someone to find him. Poppy Pomfrey was quick though; years of caring for Remus meant that when he hadn't appeared at Dawn in the Hospital Wing she had gone looking for him. She found him and quickly conjured a stretcher and transported him back to the Hospital wing, to the bed next to his newly found son. She began the long task of assessing and evaluating his wounds and treating them, before giving the poor man a sleeping potion mixed with pain relief.
Next Day:
Remus awoke slowly. The light seemed too bright, every noise echoed, his head hurt and he felt very groggy. He grunted with effort as he tried to raise himself before falling back on his bed when Poppy came running. She reprimanded him before checking him over and leaving him alone once more to dwell on his thoughts.
Change of Viewpoint: HarryI was wandering around a forest, there was light ahead and I was heading for it. I felt a need to be somewhere, like someone needed me. I had so rarely felt that in life that I treasured the feeling. It was nice! I decided to head for the sound.
Meanwhile:
The fingers of one comatose Harry Potter were seen to be moving by one sharp eyed Poppy. She rushed over to await the next movement, hoping that the boy would gain consciousness. She had so often treated Harry over his school life, he often seemed another fixture in the Hospital Wing, He seemed to have a perchance for getting injured. Now seeing him lying in front of her, still and unconscious was heart wrenching for her. She wished she knew some miraculous cure to bring him back and take back all the damage done to him by his relatives. Just wishing . . . .
Harry was now bathed in the light; he felt someone's hands and heard their voice. He instinctively headed for the sound and awoke. .
Harry moved his fingers and Poppy just waited. Suddenly his eyelids cracked open and he gestured for water. She supported his weight while he drank. It was while he was drinking that her other patient joined the land of consciousness.
A/n: I could leave it there, wouldn't that be horrid of me? Maybe I should continue, you were after all, such kind reviewers. .
Remus was amazed to see Harry, his son, awake and drinking! It was amazing. He felt sure that Harry would be in a coma awhile longer. Poppy had said that often victims of beatings and abuse like Harry chose to stay in a coma for weeks, sometimes months. To actually have awoken after only 6 weeks was miraculous! He was relieved.
"Hey Harry"
"Pro . .(cough) . fessor"
"Harry, I thought I told you three to call me Remus outside school?" Remus said in a slightly hurt, amused tone
"Yeah, forgot"
"How do you feel?"
"Hurt"
Poppy chose that moment to finish assessing Harry and move onto Remus, it was when she pulled sown the sheets to look at his dressings and change them that Harry caught a glimpse of the damage.
"Remus, what, what happened? Was it the full moon?"
"What?" Whimpered Remus distractedly, Poppy was prodding him and it hurt, damn woman! "What did you say, Harry?"
"Your chest and stomach, legs, your covered in cuts! What happened?"
"Full Moon. I could ask the same of you," Remus replied, pointing to Harry's own cuts.
"Dursley, I hate him, please say I won't have to go back! I can't" Harry broke down in tears.
Remus knocked Poppy back and leaped out of bed, well more like fell, and rushed (hobbled) over to Harry's bed.
"You ok? Shh, it's going to be all right. You don't have to go back. Nobody can make you, I won't let them."
"Promise?" asked Harry, sounding childlike and vulnerable.
"Promise." Remus reached out to hug Harry when Harry jerked out of his reach.
"Harry? What's wrong?"
"Don't know . . . Don't touch me please, can't. Don't . . . please"
"I won't, sorry. Did you know school has started back?"
"What?"
"Hmm, two weeks ago. Hermione and Ron have been asking after you, repeatedly. You won't have to attend any classes til you are ready, no rush. You've been in a coma for six weeks. Nobody expects you to do miracles. So, want to play a game of Wizarding Chess?"
"Nah, sorry. Feel tired. Night."
"Sleep well Harry"
Remus lay back down on his bed and went through the day in his head. Harry had woken up. His son had returned to the Land of the Living! It made the pain from losing Sirius lessen a bit to know that Harry was all right. Remus ignored the fluttering that thoughts of Harry caused in his nether regions. He was his son – even if Harry didn't know. He was not a viable sex partner. Bad Moony!
What Remus didn't count on was the fact that his wolf side had already found its second mate, and it wasn't going to let go!
A/N: Any suggestions, constructive criticisms always welcome. Please R & R!
Remusgrl01